Is Gibson missing a line of Les Paul?

We all love our Gibson Les Paul Historics right? The yellow bursts, the aged hardware and look, guitar made in the old traditional way.

Most of us don't like the new Les Paul Standard, not the hardware, not the weight relief (okay, some do but another topic of conversation altogether), not even the new wacky colours.

So why don't Gibson make a line of Les Paul, made using methods of the 50's, to the spec, with new wood, staining with colours back then? So what you would get is a new 58-60 Les Paul, but new.

I am thinking they are missing an opportunity here to make a lot of money. Personally as I much as I like a VOS Historic with the aged top, part of me want one like how it was in 58-60 and let UV light take care of the rest.

* I know that there is the Traditional line but these days it is hardly exactly traditional anymore...

So why don't Gibson make a line of Les Paul, made using methods of the 50's, to the spec, with new wood, staining with colours back then? So what you would get is a new 58-60 Les Paul, but new.

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what you just described already exists. it is basically the historic line of guitars.... except that they don't use 50s methods to build any guitars these days, and if they did the prices would make most people cry.

So why don't Gibson make a line of Les Paul, made using methods of the 50's, to the spec, with new wood, staining with colours back then? So what you would get is a new 58-60 Les Paul, but new.

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One could argue a Custom Shop Reissue, particularly a 2013-2014 in gloss is what you're describing. Pretty close anyway.

Now, if you want something scary close, to include a top carve just like the originals, Brazilian fretboard, proper inlays, to spec dyes and truss rod, correct headstock shape and angle, and all kinds of other minor details that mirror the originals, you can always go to a makeover specialist like Historic Makeovers, Jaeger, or Dave Johnson. You can get exactly what you want, just expect to pay near 10 grand before it's all said and done. Or you can buy an original for 100 grand!

I think some of the older Les Paul Standards were close. I've had a few early 2000's standards that came pretty close to what I think you're looking for? I think a lot of people would embrace a more traditional les paul without an assymetrical neck, robot tuners, snap in pickups, etc. There's no reason they couldn't make a USA production guitar with a 59 neck shape, abr bridge, long neck tenon, cts pots without the metal plate, and offer it in more traditional colors. Cherry burst, tobacco burst, tea burst. However with Historics going up in price again I doubt you will ever see that. Probably the most traditional feeling LP's that I've played lately have come from overseas.

IMO Gibson will get back to more of those styles soon in the USA lineup once they figure out very few want the new 2015 gimmick features.

The Gibson Custom Shop Reissues are really great and exactly what the OP is talking about. VOS, Gloss and aged versions. Colors that represent older more vintage style Les Pauls and colors that represent what they would look like new. You can find used R8's, etc.. for very good prices. There are a ton of options whether you go used or new.

historics aren't made "in the old traditional way." They simply aren't built the same way guitars were made in the 50s. period.

what you just described already exists. it is basically the historic line of guitars.... except that they don't use 50s methods to build any guitars these days, and if they did the prices would make most people cry.

IMO Gibson will get back to more of those styles soon in the USA lineup once they figure out very few want the new 2015 gimmick features.

The Gibson Custom Shop Reissues are really great and exactly what the OP is talking about. VOS, Gloss and aged versions. Colors that represent older more vintage style Les Pauls and colors that represent what they would look like new. You can find used R8's, etc.. for very good prices. There are a ton of options whether you go used or new.

For the money the 2013/2014 Historic Reissues from Gibson are pretty amazing from build, look, tone, feel, etc...

For 2015 seems there will be a big price increase. Gibson is claiming the 2015 as the "True" Reissue but really the only changes from 2013 and 2014 are cosmetic like slightly different colored plastics, knobs, etc.. Buildwise they are pretty much identical.

I laugh! Everyone wants Gibson to build guitars as the originals were built, and I totally agree. It's simple and direct.

Gibson does not do new designs well, and they are not well-received, AND Gibson doesn't build guitars the way informed players desire them to be built on the production line. In the historic line, they build them closer but then raise the price of admission to a point that is unconscienable.

How do they continue to stay in business?! The uniformed, or younger crowd, not familiar with how Gibsons were originally built are buying them. All they see is the name, and not-so-much the substance. ymmv

Not all guitar players are baby boomers trying to recreate something from the past. In fact, most of the target market for new Gibson models don't even know who Eric Clapton or Michael Bloomfield were.

I laugh! Everyone wants Gibson to build guitars as the originals were built, and I totally agree. It's simple and direct.

Gibson does not do new designs well, and they are not well-received, AND Gibson doesn't build guitars the way informed players desire them to be built on the production line. In the historic line, they build them closer but then raise the price of admission to a point that is unconscienable.

How do they continue to stay in business?! The uniformed, or younger crowd, not familiar with how Gibsons were originally built are buying them. All they see is the name, and not-so-much the substance. ymmv

Most talk about Gibson building guitars like the originals. Personally I think they are pretty close but much better. I doubt many today would really want them built exactly like the originals. The specs, tolerances, mismatched parts, etc...were all over the place back then. What Gibson builds today is much better.

Some seem to have the thinking that all the originals are great awesome guitars also. In reality that is not even close. The few popular originals are great but overall the originals were like every other year. Some were great, some good, some ok and some dogs. Not every original '59 Les Paul was a killer guitar.

Not all guitar players are baby boomers trying to recreate something from the past. In fact, most of the target market for new Gibson models don't even know who Eric Clapton or Michael Bloomfield were.

Most talk about Gibson building guitars like the originals. Personally I think they are pretty close but much better. I doubt many today would really want them built exactly like the originals. The specs, tolerances, mismatched parts, etc...were all over the place back then. What Gibson builds today is much better.

Some seem to have the thinking that all the originals are great awesome guitars also. In reality that is not even close. The few popular originals are great but overall the originals were like every other year. Some were great, some good, some ok and some dogs. Not every original '59 Les Paul was a killer guitar.

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Well, obviously for health and safety and also new guitar making techniques some process will be streamlined and improved, like CNC machined so tolerances will be much smaller. All you need to do is make a guitar to the spec of the old one but using modern technology.

I guess the 2014 Traditional were close, but this year they have nothing unless you go Custom Shop.